Media Centre

Thieves risked their lives when they clambered to the roof of Maidstone’s Blockbusters to steal metal. The pair, in their 30s, went on to neatly pile lead sheeting and copper by the roof’s edge ready to sell on. But they were thwarted after witness’s contacted police. It was the latest in a series of similar thefts as the price of lead and copper soars.

Thieves have even gone as far as to steal drain covers from roads to sell on as scrap metal. Police will be keeping an eye on materials brought to scrap metals dealers in the area. They are also offering free SmartWater, which permanently marks property, to businesses and will ask owners of commercial vehicles, who have been worst hit, to have their catalytic converters marked.

Crime prevention manager John Grant said: “The cost of scrap metal, has seen a steady rise in recent months. Members of the public and business owners can protect themselves and their homes with simple crime prevention tricks."

“The use of SmartWater is a great deterrent, as offenders see the signs for the marking device and steer clear. If caught with the substance on them it links the offender directly to the crime. Don’t make life easy for thieves —it’s important you check around buildings and take steps to prevent access to the roof, for example by removing anything you can climb on.”